Show Us Your Civil War And Store Card Tokens!

Dave, I got it off ebay of all places.

Here is the third R-9 I have found in the last 2 weeks. Just arrived today. Note that the engraver/manufacturer is advertising on the reverse. The obverse hardware merchant from Jonesville, MI is only a few miles from Hillsdale.

I had the same question Dave. Another knowledgeable token collector has commented that:

"I would bet that the die sinker proposed the design pairing
at a discount.
But I'll bet that the store cards produced were
also symbolic of a good friendship,
especially since so few examples were ever struck.
It's entirely possible the pieces were given gratis to the merchant,
for whatever reason, and the die sinker may have kept a few.
It's almost like they were presentation pieces of a sort.
It's also possible they were samples and never purchased by the merchant"

Given the physical proximity of the two busniess' it is quite possible the two knew each other.

Beautiful example Bill.

I would concur with your reasoning; It is indeed quite plausible the specimens were samples / demo pieces. I think of it not dissimilar to photographers today who put 'PROOF' all over their pre-ordered portraits.

@CC,

I posted some pictures taken after treatment on 4/22. The pictures were taken using my wife's phone, w/ the flash. The flash greatly lightened the appearance of the token. I will try to get some pictures taken tonight w/out the flash and re-post. Here is what I posted on the 22nd about the appearance of the token after treatment w/ Verdi-Care "The darker areas in the after treatment pictures are a bluish, purple toning on the token. The reverse has rolling luster which I think can be seen in the after pic... The color in the after pictures is much lighter than it actually is. More of a deep copper/brown tone"

Yes... very much so. I'll try to get some better pictures posted that reflect the true appearance of it

bumma, very nice token.

Here's the last one I picked up that I've wanted for a while. Supposed to arive tomorrow ...

bumma, I have to say that is one profession I would personally not want to do...

As far as the token, keep looking on E-Bay. They are listed quite frequently. Even though it has some rim hits, overall it is in XF condition w/ nice even chocolate brown coloring and think it well worth the price I paid (thanks to it being listed in the wrong section)

Thanks Dave, I will keep an eye out.

Cheetahcats, very, very nice! Thanks for sharing.

I have to admit I am developing quite a fondness for these tokens/cards.